VIDEO: Rodri Arrives in Paris as Anticipation Builds for 2024 Ballon d’Or Ceremony
According to reports, Manchester City midfielder Rodri has arrived in Paris for the 2024 Ballon d’Or ceremony.
The prestigious awards event is set to take place on Monday evening at the Theatre du Chatelet in the French capital.
Rodri is considered one of the top contenders for the men’s Ballon d’Or trophy this year.
The Spanish midfielder played a key role in Manchester City’s treble-winning season last year.
He scored the winning goal in the Champions League final as City claimed their first European title.
Rodri also helped Spain win the UEFA Nations League in 2023.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has backed Rodri to win the award.
“Rodri should win it because he’s the best,” Guardiola told reporters.
Image Credit : Tiempo de Juego ll Twitter
The City boss said Rodri’s performances over the past year make him deserving of football’s top individual prize.
However, Rodri faces stiff competition from other nominees like Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior.
A leaked list circulating on social media suggests Vinicius may edge out Rodri for the award.
But the authenticity of the leaked results has not been confirmed.
Other top contenders include Jude Bellingham, Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland.
This is the first time in over 15 years that neither Lionel Messi nor Cristiano Ronaldo are nominated.
It marks the end of an era dominated by the two superstars.
The ceremony will crown a new winner to succeed Messi, who claimed his record eighth Ballon d’Or last year.
In total, 30 players are shortlisted for the men’s award this year.
Premier League clubs are well represented, with players from Manchester City, Arsenal and Chelsea nominated.
The women’s Ballon d’Or will also be presented at the same ceremony.
Barcelona and Spain midfielder Aitana Bonmati is the favourite to win the women’s award.
She starred as Spain won their first Women’s World Cup this summer.
Other awards to be presented include the Kopa Trophy for best young player.
The Yashin Trophy for best goalkeeper will also be handed out.
Manchester City are nominated for the Club of the Year award after their historic treble.
Manager Pep Guardiola is up for Coach of the Year.
The star-studded ceremony is expected to attract football’s biggest names.
It will be broadcast live on YouTube for fans around the world to watch.
The red carpet arrivals are due to begin around 7pm local time in Paris.
The main awards ceremony is scheduled to start at 8:45pm.
Organisers expect proceedings to wrap up by around 10:30pm.
Former Chelsea striker Didier Drogba will co-host the event.
He will be joined by French sports journalist Sandy Heribert on stage.
For Rodri, just being nominated represents a huge achievement in his career.
Rodri | zdroj: Instagram
The 28-year-old has established himself as one of the world’s best midfielders.
His calm presence in midfield was crucial to City’s success last season.
According to Sporting News, Rodri’s club teammate Rico Lewis believes he deserves to win.
“It’s a no-brainer for me,” Lewis told reporters about Rodri’s chances.
The young defender praised Rodri’s all-round game and importance to the team.
Whether Rodri claims the top prize or not, his presence in Paris confirms his world-class status.
It caps a remarkable rise for the Spaniard since joining City in 2019.
Football fans around the world will be eagerly awaiting the final results on Monday night.
The ceremony promises to be a celebration of the beautiful game’s top talents.
With no clear favourite, the suspense will build right up until the winner is announced.
Rodri and his fellow nominees will be hoping to etch their names in football history.
Winning the Ballon d’Or would be the crowning achievement of an already glittering career for the City star.
But he faces extremely tough competition from a field packed with world-class talent.
The football world’s eyes will be fixed on Paris as a new Ballon d’Or winner is crowned.
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